Public Health Preparedness: Community Preparedness

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. It is difficult to predict disasters. They don’t show up on the calendar, but rather in the headlines. In Arkansas we are faced with: tornadoes, ice storms, floods, earthquakes, hurricane evacuees, food-borne outbreaks, wildfires, pandemic flu, Arkansas Nuclear One, hazardous materials incidents and other public health emergencies. Community Preparedness works with local partners throughout the state to ensure that they have assessed the hazards in their area and developed plans to address events that may occur in their community. Drills and exercises are conducted with local community partners to prepare for real life emergencies. For more information contact 501-661-2249.

At-Risk Populations

Disasters impact all Arkansans and are particularly difficult for our most vulnerable populations including those who are physically and/or mentally challenged (blind, cognitive disorders, mobility limitations), limited or non-English speaking, geographically or culturally isolated, frail elderly, pregnant women, and children.

The ADH At-Risk Coordinator works with these populations and the organizations that represent them to assure that ADH reaches these groups and they receive the information and training necessary to prepare for their unique needs during a disaster or public health emergency in Arkansas. By building partnerships and developing community collaboration ADH can maximize the resources for these citizens.